Summary of Main Ideas

In the military, often times a unit or a commanding officer will try and throw in the towel. Maybe a mission isn’t working, or he doesn't think he has all the resources.

And more often than not, the message that comes down from the top is simple:

Charlie Mike. Which is code for “Continue Mission.”

We are so quick to give up. On degrees, on projects, on marriages, on books, on starting that business, whatever it is. There are so many things that we’ve started, only to quit when things got tough.

1. “It doesn’t fit my passions.”

As it just so happens, your passions aren’t as finicky as you might think they are. It’s just that we choose to change our passions when they don’t align with our preferences.

The next time you want to throw in the towel because that thing doesn’t fit your passions, take a step back. Odds are, it’s not your passions that aren’t being satisfied, but your preferences.

2. “It’s not fair.”

Not to sound cliche, but guess what? Life isn’t fair, and the quicker you realize that, the better off your life is going to be.

We complain about suffering, that things aren’t going our way, that we got the short end of the stick, or that someone else got that promotion over us. That’s life. What are you going to do about it? Rather than focus on the negative, choose to view your circumstances as invitations. What are you being called into?

3. “It’s not my fault.”

The hardest part of struggle is that we don't’ think we should be struggling. We didn’t cause the problem, why should we have to deal with it?

Rather than throw in the towel, choose to make your brother’s/sister’s/spouse/s problems your own. Recognize that no, it’s not your fault, but you can move through the problem.

4. “It’s just not fun anymore”

Bloom where you are planted. No, not everything in life is always going to fun. Career, work, marriage, starting that business, writing that book, whatever the case may be.

But things are going to be fun when you make them fun.

5. “It’s just not easy”

You thought it would be easier. But guess what? Life is hard. Marriage is hard. Parenting is hard. Starting a business is hard.

The most successful people in the world are the ones who didn't give up in life when things stopped being easy.

So keep going. There are a million reasons to give up when life gets hard, but your impact in your world is worth more than your excuses.

Quotes

“This is life. These are it’s terms. What is the invitation?” Ian Cron

“God honors a beautiful blend of gift and grit! He gives the gift, and He expects us to have the grit to practice and learn how to use it effectively.” Beth Moore

Reflection Questions

If there’s a thing in your life that doesn't fit your passions, is it not fitting your passions, or not fitting your preferences?

What could I see that I don’t currently see, if I started looking at life as an invitation?

Think about the people closest to you. Are you willing to make their problems your problems?

How can you stop worrying about making your own life fun, and start trying to make other’s lives fun?